9:10 p.m. - Authorities say the Valley Fire that overtook several Northern California towns has killed at least one person and destroyed more than 400 homes and businesses.

A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman released the tally Sunday evening as firefighters continue to battle the out-of-control blaze north of San Francisco in Lake County.

Lynn Valentine said officials confirmed one fatality, though she had no immediate information on the deceased.

Cal Fire had not confirmed the fatality report as of Sunday evening.

She said the fire has destroyed 400 homes, two apartment complexes and 10 businesses. Most of the destruction occurred in the communities of Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake, as well as homes along a shuttered highway.

The fire broke out Saturday afternoon and exploded in size within hours. It has burned 50,000 acres.

~AP and CapRadio Staff

Structure damage on the #ValleyFire still remains at an estimated several hundred homes & hundreds of other structures destroyed.

9:05 a.m. - Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in Lake and Napa Counties after a wildfire charred more than 40,000 acres within 17 hours, prompting thousands to flee their homes.

Brown said Sunday the declaration will expedite debris removal and waive fees to people who need to replace official documents lost in the fire.

~AP

7:25 a.m - The Valley Fire is burning out of control south of Clear Lake in Lake and Napa counties. In less than 24 hours, the Valley Fire has grown to 40,000 acres with no containment, according to Cal Fire.